GOLF.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 205, 13 August 1927, Page 3

GOLF.

HASTINGS. CLUB. (Notes by “Putter.”) A great deal of adverse criticism is being made amongst the club members on the decision of the executive in altering the conditions of the club championship half way through the competition. The members of the executive quite frankly state that the alteration was made entirely to permit one of the leading players to take part in rhe competition, but in fairness to this player it must be stated that the alteration was not in any way made at his request or suggestion, as 1 understand he was very much against any alteration being made on his account. My own candid opinion is that there has been a great mistake made and that it has established n bad precedent, for if the qualifying rounds do not suit any player next year, whether he be good or bad he would be entitled to have them altered to suit him. I nave heard it argued that these qualifying rounds are a farce, but if this ; s the case why is it that all the leading clubs still adopt this method of qualifying a man for a championship. Perhaps some of the more learned mem bers of the club can devise some scheme whereby the qualifying rounds could be eliminated

It is with great regret that I hear that the club is to lose their worthy captain, W. J. Rowe. No captain to my mind has worked harder and none more good for the club than W. J. Rowe, and the club is very unfortunate in losing him at this period of the club’s life, just when things are going along in good style. However, I am sure the club members will congratulate Mr Rowe on his promotion, and that he will carry with him to Nelson the members’ best wishes.

The congestion on the course last Saturday was again very bad, some of the players not getting away till well after 2 o’clock. It appeared to me that the conditions or tilings tin Saturday was entirely attributable to some of the lady members starting off the 11th tee shortly after 1 o’clock and therefore preventing at least six pairs of men players getting away. Had these six pairs got away off the 11th tee it would have just made all the difference.

It was a great pleasure to see the crowd on the links there was on Saturday and it certainly looks as if the club has a bright future in front of it. Two or three years ago the club thought they had a great crowd if 20 members competed in a Saturday competition, hut now it is usually in the vicinnity of 40. The Wednesday players are also coming into their own as they have on an average 15 players competing each Wednesday.

Another match was played during the week-end in the four-ball chai lenge match, the holders (Fannin and Candy), defeating the challengers (Paterson and Campbell). The former couple, I understand, could not go wrong, especially H. A. Fannin, whom 1 am told went round in 78’ This being the case, J. L. Paterson would have had his work cut out giving him 3 strokes, and it is no wonder that the challengers went down to the tune of 7 and 6. As 1 have said in previous notes H. A. Fannin on his game is a very dangerous man, and should he be able to reproduce this form in the championship he will probably upset some of the’ top notchers’ calculations.

Last Saturday’s qualifying round did not produce any sensational scores, “Bricky” Budds 82 being the

best of the day. This player is right on his game at present, and if ho maintains his form will probably be favourite for the championship. The next best half a dozen scores were H. G. Davies 84, E. A. Murley 85, E. P. Baker 85, W. Matthews 86, A. Murley and J. E. Paterson 87. In the B grade, W. H. Will and N. Y. Greager headed the list with 94 each, then came F. P. Kelly and S. Averill with 98 each, and then E. L. Commin and G. Salmon on the 100 mark. With one more round to go it is hard to predict who will head the list in the respective grades as the scores are so very even. Only a few, strokes separating the first six men. 1 notice that the results of last Wednesday’s medal match were not published, and on making inquiries from the secretary why these scores were not published, he informs me that the trouble is that the cards are usually not handed to him in time for publication. The best six scores on Wednesday were as follows:—J. W. Barraclougb 94—17—77 N. Greager 97—17—80 W. Matthews 88—7—81, H.’ File 97—16—81, A. F. RedGrave 101—18—85, P. M. Williams 97 —14—83. The winner is playing very consistent golf this year, this being his third victory in the Wednesday competitions. GENERAL NOTES. Napier had a very easy win over Parkvale last week-end but the Parkvalors spent a most enjoyable day, and the experience of meeting better players on a championship course was well worth while. In cases where there is such a discrepancy in the strength of teams it would be advisable in inter-club friendly matches —not, of course where challenge cups are at stake—if the handicaps of the players w ere previously communicated to the team captains, and the latter selected players of not more than 3 or 4 handicap difference. This would give a reasonably sure anti satisfactory result to the stronger club, but at the same time would give players of the weaker team a sporting chance of getting away with a few games; the arrangement would also make for more evenly contested and there more mutually enjoyable individual games.

It is rumoured that A. Shaw, last year’s open champion, and the popular Waiohiki professional may be starting a golf night ‘school in Hastings. If this is so local golfers will indeed be fortunate as at present those who have wanted lessons have had to book up three weeks ahead.

The Parkvale players had plenty of practice with their brassies, a club for which their present course has little use except in the case of joozled tee shots; but it is confidently hoped that, by next season, Beatson Park links will have two long noles of 420 and 380 yards, besides three others of 320, 290 and 310 yards. This will be following out the recomm-jnda-tions of Mr R. C. .Kirk, and will give two 9 hole rounds of 4620 yards with a bogey of 70 or 72, a vast gain on the 3600 yards with which the club opened three years ago. • • • F. A. Fryer and his associates on the Napier Club’s ground committee are losing no time in getting to work on Mr Redhead’s course improvement scheme, which will entail the adjustment of nearly every hole on the links, modern scientific bunkering round all greens. Unsightly sod walls in the fairways are a thing of the past, and bunkering round the greens will conform to the lie of the land, and appear as natural undulations, hincocks and hollows that in a few season will appear as if nature had always placed them there.